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Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Follow the Dog Home: How a Simple Walk Unleashed an Incredible Family Journey in Books
Jan 15, 2018
If you are a dog lover (like me) this is a book you will enjoy reading! So many of the stories & family experiences that are written about in this book were things that mirrored my own life & that with the few dogs I've been blessed enough to have share my experiences. I laughed & cried at the tales & truly found myself drawn into the adventures & mishaps throughout.
Of course with that being said this is also a book that will help people who aren't dog lovers better understand those of us who are...not an easy thing to do by any means. It allows you a glimpse into the passion, love, & heartache that a dog brings into your life. The emotions & stories are well told.
Being a 4th grade teacher, I loved the fact that Samantha Walsh (Kevin's 10 year old daughter) was involved in bringing this book to life. She has such a great storytelling voice. I plan to read a few pieces to my class to show them that writing (& reading for that matter) are real & important things to them.
Well done Walsh family!!!
Of course with that being said this is also a book that will help people who aren't dog lovers better understand those of us who are...not an easy thing to do by any means. It allows you a glimpse into the passion, love, & heartache that a dog brings into your life. The emotions & stories are well told.
Being a 4th grade teacher, I loved the fact that Samantha Walsh (Kevin's 10 year old daughter) was involved in bringing this book to life. She has such a great storytelling voice. I plan to read a few pieces to my class to show them that writing (& reading for that matter) are real & important things to them.
Well done Walsh family!!!
Ross (3284 KP) rated Emperor of Thorns in Books
Sep 13, 2017
The conclusion of the first of Mark Lawrence's trilogies, the Broken Empire, sees Jorg once again travel across the empire, and is once again split into 2 timelines.
Again, the pace at which events of the past are revealed and their implications for the present timeline emerge is just right, allowing enough to be worked out in advance by the eager reader.
I didn't much like the present timeline story, it really was just a long dragged out roadtrip and didn't add much to the overall plot. Luckily enough focus was given to Jorg's adventures through the radioactive fallout zones and Afrique that this didn't detract from enjoyment too much.
Once more, the introduction of elements of the distant past (our future) was a risk worth taking for the author, as it helps explain so much of the mysterious yet familiar world we are travelling through.
The ending felt slightly rushed for me and the final encounter should really have been given much more attention, but I was happy enough with the conclusion and intend to revisit this world for the Red Queen's War trilogy in due course.
Again, the pace at which events of the past are revealed and their implications for the present timeline emerge is just right, allowing enough to be worked out in advance by the eager reader.
I didn't much like the present timeline story, it really was just a long dragged out roadtrip and didn't add much to the overall plot. Luckily enough focus was given to Jorg's adventures through the radioactive fallout zones and Afrique that this didn't detract from enjoyment too much.
Once more, the introduction of elements of the distant past (our future) was a risk worth taking for the author, as it helps explain so much of the mysterious yet familiar world we are travelling through.
The ending felt slightly rushed for me and the final encounter should really have been given much more attention, but I was happy enough with the conclusion and intend to revisit this world for the Red Queen's War trilogy in due course.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Mary and the Witch's Flower (2017) in Movies
May 11, 2018
A Familiar Tale
If you were a newly-formed Japanese animation studio and somebody said that your first film was good, but not quite up to the standard of Studio Ghibli, you would probably still be quite pleased. Unless you were Studio Ponoc, a newly-formed Japanese animation studio making use of the talents of many Studio Ghibli veterans, with the expressed intention of continuing the Studio Ghibli tradition.
Yet here we are. This is a very good-looking film, with many classic virtues, and a doubtlessly intentional resemblance to the Wizarding World money-making machine - lonely child finds herself transported off to a school for witches, where various adventures awaits. But the animation is sometimes simply very good rather than Ghibli-standard immaculate, the story is rather simplistic, and the characterisation thin. Where Ghibli films are charming, this one is sometimes just a bit twee. It's by no means a bad film, but by positioning itself as 'the Ghibli successor', and copying the Ghibli house style so closely, Studio Ponoc has basically created a set of expectations which - in this film at least - they struggle to meet.
Yet here we are. This is a very good-looking film, with many classic virtues, and a doubtlessly intentional resemblance to the Wizarding World money-making machine - lonely child finds herself transported off to a school for witches, where various adventures awaits. But the animation is sometimes simply very good rather than Ghibli-standard immaculate, the story is rather simplistic, and the characterisation thin. Where Ghibli films are charming, this one is sometimes just a bit twee. It's by no means a bad film, but by positioning itself as 'the Ghibli successor', and copying the Ghibli house style so closely, Studio Ponoc has basically created a set of expectations which - in this film at least - they struggle to meet.
This is a really good read for all those middle schoolers who have a passion for adventure and dinosaurs. It remains interesting and at times fast-paced while being easy to follow and enjoyable. Matt has just turned 12 and has a curious ability to touch a dinosaur egg and see the creature as it would have been in life, Along with his dad, a well-respected palaeontologist and artist, he is allowed to go on his first dig, however, much to Matt's annoyance others get to come along too, not all off then invited. His cousin Jo is one of the expedition, but her interests are more with the illegal logging taking place in the Amazon forest setting than on dinosaur eggs. How this gets them both into trouble and how the uninvited followers all fit into this adventure you will have to read to find out.
Reading this book will introduce you to a set of characters that I am sure you and your children will enjoy following in their future adventures. I for one am looking forward to the next episode of Matt and his father.
Reading this book will introduce you to a set of characters that I am sure you and your children will enjoy following in their future adventures. I for one am looking forward to the next episode of Matt and his father.
Lindsay (1796 KP) rated Secrets of Cavendon in Books
Apr 8, 2019
If you enjoy History or Historical fiction. Secret of Cavendon may be one of the books to pick up. It is book #4 in the series, I think you read it as a standalone if you want to. The plot bring out quite a few romances. One may be dangerous.
We see who the woman of Cavendon are and work together. We seem to learn more about history of the Swanns and Ingram's life. Well as we know we have Alicia, Cecily and Miles and their children. Get action and adventures. We also meet Cecily friends and or business partners.
There change coming and will they be able to stick together though it all? There a murder, heartbreak, drama. Bradford does it all in one book. There seems to be several story lines going on though out he book. They all seem to be teeming from Cavendon. What are secrets of Cavendon that seem to be everyone is worried about. It seems that is in record books.
If you are into British history or want learn a little bit about Britain and London this book is set in that area. You got Earls and Countess in this book.
We see who the woman of Cavendon are and work together. We seem to learn more about history of the Swanns and Ingram's life. Well as we know we have Alicia, Cecily and Miles and their children. Get action and adventures. We also meet Cecily friends and or business partners.
There change coming and will they be able to stick together though it all? There a murder, heartbreak, drama. Bradford does it all in one book. There seems to be several story lines going on though out he book. They all seem to be teeming from Cavendon. What are secrets of Cavendon that seem to be everyone is worried about. It seems that is in record books.
If you are into British history or want learn a little bit about Britain and London this book is set in that area. You got Earls and Countess in this book.
Lindsay (1796 KP) rated Aoléon The Martian Girl (Part 3) in Books
Apr 9, 2019
I know children love action and adventures. Well this book sure has it. I truly know it got a space in it as well. It wonderful. Pictures are done well. They seem to capture you to look at them. Aoleon and Gilbert find themselves trapped when Aoleon is taking her pilot exam.
They start there adventure when they are spying on Luminon. Can they warn her father about Galact saboteur can do any damage. What happens next is just the beginning for their adventure and it live treating. They seem to find something in the moon above Mars. Gilbert leans to sky-board. There more trouble ahead. They seem to have been found or they were being tracked.
They get back to Aoleon home and find it ransacked by who know who. They find Uri who had hidden from them. These people who were there took her mother and father. She tell her sister to stay with her Grandma. Pax shows up and tell him that Aoleon an Gilbert will need to escape while they can and need to go somewhere where they can get the help. Will they escape? You will need to read to find out.
They start there adventure when they are spying on Luminon. Can they warn her father about Galact saboteur can do any damage. What happens next is just the beginning for their adventure and it live treating. They seem to find something in the moon above Mars. Gilbert leans to sky-board. There more trouble ahead. They seem to have been found or they were being tracked.
They get back to Aoleon home and find it ransacked by who know who. They find Uri who had hidden from them. These people who were there took her mother and father. She tell her sister to stay with her Grandma. Pax shows up and tell him that Aoleon an Gilbert will need to escape while they can and need to go somewhere where they can get the help. Will they escape? You will need to read to find out.
David (771 KP) rated Hey Duggee in TV
Jan 20, 2018
Pre-school programme (suitable for adults too)
"I wonder what Duggee has planned for you today"Follow the Squirrels (group of 5 children) on their adventures with Squirrel group leader, Duggee (Large brown dog, breed unknown) who awards them a different badge at the end of each episode relating to what they have learnt or been doing. The situations and characters they encounter are very funny and have humour in for the adults. The music and songs are fantastic and very catchy (The stick song, need I say more). The narration from the very British Alexander Armstrong completes this modern children's cartoon that is both educational and fun, teaching kids that the outside world is an exciting place and to respect and love each other regardless of how different we all are.
Favourite episodes of mine (*cough* and my 2 year old daughter):
The tadpole badge
The acorn badge
The paddling pool badge
The stick badge
The omelette badge
I could go on but would end up listing every episode. Get your kids, grandkids, cousins, nieces and nephews watching, they will thank you for it, "Ah....woof!"
Favourite episodes of mine (*cough* and my 2 year old daughter):
The tadpole badge
The acorn badge
The paddling pool badge
The stick badge
The omelette badge
I could go on but would end up listing every episode. Get your kids, grandkids, cousins, nieces and nephews watching, they will thank you for it, "Ah....woof!"
Dakota Morrill (17 KP) rated the Nintendo Switch version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in Video Games
Mar 4, 2018
Beautiful world, nice story, but some flaws
In the beautiful land of Hyrule you'll experience a wonderful modern story of the famous knight Link and his adventures to aid Princess Zelda. In a beautiful world full of interesting creatures and sometimes unique ways to kill them using your environment or smacking them with their own hand, you will also find yourself drowning after 30 seconds of swimming in a river or trying to rock climb as you'd expect a famous knight to be capable of. You will also find yourself in epic battles with giant mechanical beasts then inside of them doing insanely difficult puzzles that will make you give up and just google the solutions only to realize you still have no idea how to get through them.
This game is the high praise game of the year for all the Nintendo die hards and young adults who grew up with the Zelda series, but in reality is an average game that feels like it took way too much spotlight away from better games such as Horizon: Zero Dawn, or Super Mario Odyssey.
This game is the high praise game of the year for all the Nintendo die hards and young adults who grew up with the Zelda series, but in reality is an average game that feels like it took way too much spotlight away from better games such as Horizon: Zero Dawn, or Super Mario Odyssey.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2484 KP) rated Shadow Of Doubt (The Carol Childs Mysteries, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Carol Childs is making a career change to reporter for a talk radio station in Los Angeles, and she jumps on any scoop she can get. Which is why she uses her relationship with her neighbor Samantha to get inside scoop on the death of Sam’s aunt Pepper Millhouse, one of Hollywood’s top agents. However, when what appeared to be an accident looks like murder, Carol begins to wonder if she is in over her head. Can she use her insider status to uncover the truth?
I really enjoyed this debut. It starts strong and never lags as we go from one twist to another until we reach the ending. Along the way, we get to know the cast of characters, all of whom come across as developed here. I did find one character, a psychic, more annoying than entertaining. Additionally, the book had several handfuls of typos scattered throughout the book, which annoyed me. Still, both of these were minor, and I will be reading about Carol’s further adventures soon.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-shadow-of-doubt-by-nancy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I really enjoyed this debut. It starts strong and never lags as we go from one twist to another until we reach the ending. Along the way, we get to know the cast of characters, all of whom come across as developed here. I did find one character, a psychic, more annoying than entertaining. Additionally, the book had several handfuls of typos scattered throughout the book, which annoyed me. Still, both of these were minor, and I will be reading about Carol’s further adventures soon.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-shadow-of-doubt-by-nancy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Big Hero 6, Vol. 1 in Books
Jun 18, 2018
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
I received Disney's Big Hero 6, vol. 1 from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review of the book. I am a person who loved all things Disney. When I entered to review this book I was not expecting it to be a comic book. Comic books are not something I enjoy typically. This book is about a boy named Hiro who is a genius and dreams of being an inventor like his older brother. The book takes an unexpected turn when Hiro's old brother vanishes while saving his life. Hiro was devastated. Hiro had every right to sulk in his grief and be lonely and blame himself for his brothers disappearance, but instead he develops a friendship with his brother's last invention; a health-care companion robot named Baymax. The robot was exactly what Hiro needed to get back up on his feet. Baymax and Hiro go on many adventures which helps Hiro to not be as lonely. The book follows the plot of the movie closely but the author has his own twist to it.
I received Disney's Big Hero 6, vol. 1 from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review of the book. I am a person who loved all things Disney. When I entered to review this book I was not expecting it to be a comic book. Comic books are not something I enjoy typically. This book is about a boy named Hiro who is a genius and dreams of being an inventor like his older brother. The book takes an unexpected turn when Hiro's old brother vanishes while saving his life. Hiro was devastated. Hiro had every right to sulk in his grief and be lonely and blame himself for his brothers disappearance, but instead he develops a friendship with his brother's last invention; a health-care companion robot named Baymax. The robot was exactly what Hiro needed to get back up on his feet. Baymax and Hiro go on many adventures which helps Hiro to not be as lonely. The book follows the plot of the movie closely but the author has his own twist to it.